Around the league 5-17-05

May 16, 2005 7:23 PM ET
Ravens: Smith to be limited at minicamp
The News
Ravens running back Musa Smith will be limited during this week's minicamp because he is still recovering from a broken leg, reports the Baltimore Sun. He suffered the injury during a week 11 win over the Cowboys.
Our View
It is a good thing that the Ravens matched the offer sheet to Chester Taylor this offseason or else they'd really be reaching for running backs this week. Smith won't be ready for minicamp, but he is still expected to enter the season as the team's No. 3 back.

May 16, 2005 3:43 PM ET
Packers: Walker wants big money
The News
Holdout wide receiver Javon Walker not only wants the Packers to renegotiate his existing contract, he wants to be paid like one of the league's top wideouts. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Walker's agent submitted a contract proposal that would be worth more than the eight-year, $75 million deal the Vikings gave Randy Moss in 2001. Packers' officials have yet to respond to Walker's request.
Our View
The thing to remember is that this is Walker's first proposal, which means it's probably nothing more than a starting point for negotiations. That said, the salary cap strapped Packers can't be happy with this figure even as a starting point. Javon went on record with his hope to remain in Green Bay, but he probably has to come way down in his salary demands if he sincerely wants to continue playing for the Packers.

May 16, 2005 12:15 PM ET
Packers: Walker doesn't want out
The News
Javon Walker might be holding out of minicamp workouts in protest of his current contract, but that doesn't mean he wants to leave Green Bay. "I don't think it will get that ugly," Walker told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel at his charity softball game over the weekend. "I want to be here, I don't want to go nowhere. My situation is different than a lot of guys out there. I don't think it will ever get that ugly. I don't want it to get that ugly just for the simple fact that I love the state of Wisconsin." Walker has asked the team to renegotiate his existing contract, which is scheduled to pay him $1.1 million over the next two seasons.
Our View
Walker is saying all the right things, but he made a questionable move on Saturday at his softball game when he had his agent Drew Rosenhaus make an unscheduled plate appearance. The rowdy crowd in Milwaukee booed loudly when Rosenhaus was introduced and then applauded wildly when the super agent grounded out to shortstop. We can only imagine how a Philadelphia crowd would have reacted to Rosenhaus, who also represents holdout wide receiver Terrell Owens. No word yet as to whether Rosenhaus met with Packers' officials while he was in Wisconsin over the weekend.

May 16, 2005 11:47 AM ET
Ravens: Minicamp opens without Lewis
The News
The Ravens' first offseason minicamp opens Monday, and running back Jamal Lewis won't be available. Lewis is finishing up a four-month prison sentence in Florida after pleading guilty to using a cell phone to arrange a drug deal more than four years ago. The Ravens have kept in close contact with Lewis, who is on schedule in his recovery from ankle surgery and keeping his weight close to the 240 pounds he played at last season. "This sounds terrible, but he's in a great regimented environment," Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Baltimore Sun. "There's not a lot else for him to do but stay focused."
Our View
Lewis will be released in early June and then must spend two months in a halfway house and perform 500 hours of community service. The Ravens are optimistic that Lewis will be allowed to serve his house arrest in Baltimore and attend offseason workouts.

May 16, 2005 11:29 AM ET
Redskins: Portis to play number game in court
The News
Redskins' running back Clinton Portis is scheduled to appear in court on June 7 where he will face charges pressed by former teammate Ifeanyi Ohalete, according to the New York Times. Ohalete alleges that Portis is in breach of a contractual agreement the two men made prior to last season. Ohalete says Portis agreed to pay him $40,000 for giving up the No. 26 jersey last season, but has only paid him half that amount so far. The Cardinals signed Ohalete last year after the Redskins released him.
Our View
Ohalete, who is now wearing the No. 25 jersey for the Cardinals, should be happy that he received $20,000 for a number he would have lost the rights to once the team released him last season.

May 16, 2005 11:20 AM ET
Titans: Volek at 90 percent
The News
Quarterback Billy Volek, who underwent shoulder surgery in January, will participate in organized team activities this week, but Titans coach Jeff Fisher estimates Volek is only 90 percent recovered. "The [recover] process has actually gone a lot faster than I thought it was going to," Volek told The Tennessean. "I am not there yet, but I am probably two-to-three weeks ahead of schedule."
Our View
Volek added that his shoulder may actually be stronger following his rehab and could give him increased velocity. He remains a solid handcuff to starter Steve McNair and, barring a Drew Rosenhaus-forced trade, McNair's heir apparent.

May 16, 2005 11:16 AM ET
Cowboys: Hall still on the radar
The News
The Cowboys did not sign free agent safety Cory Hall after he worked out for the team last week. However, the team's official website reports that team officials remain interested in the six-year veteran and will keep him in mind over the next few weeks. Hall finished last season with 53 tackles in 14 games with the Falcons.
Our View
Lynn Scott and Keith Davis are currently set to do battle during training camp for the starting free safety position, which opened when Darren Woodson retired last season. Although Hall could still be signed, Cowboys' officials seem to be counting on either Scott or Davis to step up and win the job during training camp.

May 16, 2005 11:03 AM ET
Cardinals: Arrington to miss practice time
The News
Cardinals' running back J.J. Arrington will not attend the first few days of the team's rookie camp, which opens Monday in Arizona. However, the former Golden Bear is not holding out. The Arizona Republic reports that Arrington is not allowed to take part in the first few practices because league rules prohibit rookies from participating before their schools hold graduation ceremonies.
Our View
The Cards will do their best to make up for lost time once Arrington is allowed to practice with the team. We consider him the leading candidate to win the starting tailback duties during training camp over Marcel Shipp and Troy Hambrick.

May 16, 2005 10:37 AM ET
*****: Carter adapting to new defensive scheme
The News
*****' head coach Mike Nolan has big plans for defensive end Andre Carter in his newly installed 3-4 defense. "I mentioned Andre Carter as a guy that, early on, everybody said, 'Boy, how is he going to fit?' Well, right now, if you're looking at just this short minicamp, he's going to fit extremely well," Nolan told the Oakland Tribune. "And it's because the 3-4 is so versatile in the way you can use people." Carter missed six games last season because of a back injury.
Our View
Carter is on the mend and could play a major role in the Niners' defense, as Nolan plans to use him as pass-rush specialist. Andre logged 25.5 sacks in his first three seasons before being held to just two last season. When healthy, the four-year veteran is a top-15 defensive lineman in fantasy leagues that award points for individual defensive players.